Automatic music-sheet tracker.



L. H. MALER.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET TRACKER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30.1915` 1,207,965. Patented De@.12,1916.

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L. H. MAIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET TRACKER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30. I9I5.

Parented Dec. I2, T916.

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L. H. MAIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET TRACKER.

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I.. H. MAIER.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC SHEET TRACKER.

ArPLIcATloN FILED MAR.30.\915.

1,207,965. Patented Dec. 12,1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS H. MAIER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC MUSIC-SHEET TRACKER.

To all ywhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS H. MAIER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, borough of the Bronx, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, have invented certain new and uscful Improvements in Automatic Music- Sheet Trackers, of which the following is a specification.

Perforated music sheets, which pass over tracker boards in automatic musical instruments, are liable to increase and decrease in width according to atmospheric conditions, and are liable to move from side to side out of the true path of travel, whereby the note perforations of the sheet are liable Ito improperly register with the note openings or orifices in the tracker board. Various devices have been provided to cause the music sheet to be restored to the normal traveling position when such sheet moves to one side or another from such position. I have ascertained that where such traveling music sheets pass between abutments at their edges, adjacent to the tracker bar, said sheets are liable to bend or buckle at or adjacent to their marginal edge or edges by reason of the contact of such edge of the sheet with such abutment when the sheet deviates from its true path.

The object of my invention is to utilize such bending or buckling of the music sheet, at or adjacent to its marginal edge or edges, to cause the operation of devices that serve to restore the proper or normal relation of the music sheet to the tracker bar orifices or openings as the sheet deviates from its true or normal traveling position.

In carrying out my invention I provide a tracker bar having usual or suitable orifices to be connected with suitable pneumatic mechanism in an ordinary or desired manner for operating a musical instrument action, means for supporting a music sheet so that it may travel over the tracker bar,

abutments adjacent to the marginal edges of the music sheet, mechanism adapted to shift the music sheet or its spool or spools relatively to the tracker bar, or to shift the tracker bar relatively to the music sheet, and means adapted to control said shifting mechanism and located adjacent to the tracker bar and covered by the adjacent marginal portions of the traveling music sheet, such means, however, being in such relation to said abutments, that when a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

marginal or edge portion of the music sheet becomes bent or buckled by reason of its contact with the adjacent abutment, said mechanism will be caused to operate to shift the music sheet, or one or both of its spools, or the tracker, to cause the music perforations or note openings of the sheet t0 again register with the note orifices of the tracker bar, and so on each time the sheet deviates from its true traveling path sufficiently to cause a marginal portion of the sheet adjacent to such abutment to bend or buckle enough to cause operation of such shifting mechanism.

In one form of my invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the means I have referred to comprises tubes or passages communicating with openings controlled by the corresponding marginal portions of the music sheet and located adjacent to the corresponding abutment for the sheet, such openings being adapted to be normally closed by the sheet, either of such openings to be uncovered more or less when a marginal portion of the sheet bends or buckles by reason of the contact of its edge with an adjacent abutment, whereby the said shifting mechanism will be caused to operate to shift the sheet, or one or both of its spools, or tracker bar, to restore the note perforations of the sheet for tracking or registering properly with respect to the note orifices of the tracker bar.

My invention also comprises novel details of improvement and combination of arts that will be more fully hereinafter set orth and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein,

Figure l is a. partly sectional face view of a music-sheet mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section of a portion of Fig. l.; Fig. 3 is a detail edge view of a portion of the mechanism slightly modified; Fig. 4 is a detail section of Fig. 3; Fig. is a face view of a modification, illustrating the abutment for the music sheet edge and the opening adjacent thereto as separately adjustable with relation to the tracker bar; Fig. 6 is an edge view of Fig. 5, partly in section on the line 6, 6, in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line 8, 8, in Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a detail rear View of a portion of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of a further modification, illustrating the tube having the opening that is provided near the marginal portion of the sheet adapted to be moved when such portion of the sheet bends or buckles adjacent to its edge-abutment; Fig. 11 is a sectional detail of a modification, wherein the opening to be controlled by reason of the bending or buckling of the marginal portion of the music sheet is controlled by a member interposed between such opening and said sheet; Fig. 12 is an underside view of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a tace view illustrating parts shown in Figs. 11 and 12 as mounted to be adjusted with respect to the traveling music sheet; Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14. 14, in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a detail section illustrating a further modification, wherein the opening controlled by the bending or buckling of the traveling music sheet 1s normally open and adapted to be closed by reason of the bending or buckling of such sheet; Fig. 16 is a sectional detail of a further modification, illustrating means for electrically controlling the operation of the primary valves of the music sheet or tracker shifting mech' anism vin accordance with my invention; Fig. 17 is a partly sectional face view illustrating shifting mechanism for the tracker bar: Fig. 18 is a view substantially similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the form of my invention shown in detail in Figs. 13 and 14, including also the surface guide 50 and pneumatic 52 of Figs. 11 and 12, and Fig. 1S) is a sectional detail illustrating a modified form of the surface guide for the music sheet.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The tracker bar 1 having note orifices 1a may be mounted in any suitable manner in a frame 2, the tubes (l. communicating with said orifices in any suitable manner to control the musical instrument operating mechanism. The spool 3 carrying the perforated music sheet 4, and the takeup spool 5 for said sheet, may be mounted in frame 2 in any suitable manner. In the example illustrated in Fig. 1 the spool 3 is mounted to have longitudinal adjustment, spindles 6 and 7 being slidably mounted in frame 2 to support the ends ot' spool 3. The spindle 7 is normally pressed by a spring 8 toward. spool 3, and an eccentric 9, pivotall-y supported upon frame 2, as at 10, coacts with spindle 6, whereby the spool 3 may be adjusted in opposite directions. The eccentric 9 is shown provided with an arm 11 pivotally connected with a rod 12, which rod is shown pivotally connected with a lever or arm 13, shown pivotally supported at 14 upon frame 2, said lever being shown pivotally connected by a link 15 with the movable board of operating pneumatic 16, a rod 18 pivotally connecting'said movable lboard with the movable board of pneumatic 17, whereby when rod 12 is operated and eccentric 9 is thus rotated, spool 3 will be adjusted in one or another direction, according to which movable board of said pneumatics is collapsed. Takeup spool 5 is shown carried by a shaft 5a whiclrmay be rotated in any suitable or well known manner. It will be understood, however, that my improvements may be applied in connection with other suitable means for adjusting the spool 3 in opposite directions or lengthwise.

In order to restore the relative relation of the tracker bar orifices and the note openings 4f of the music sheet 4, the tracker bar may be shifted instead of shifting the music sheet. For this purpose I have, in Fig. 17, illustrated the tracker bar as provided with supports 1b slidably mounted in frame 2, one of Which supports is shown connected by the link 1c with lever 13 to be operated by pneumatics, such as 16, 17 shown in Fig. 1. In such case the means for adjusting spool 3 is omitted, the spindle 6 being mounted to rotate in frame 2 in an ordinary manner. In Figs. 1 and 17 the spindle 7 may be drawn out to admit or release spool 3, spring 8 normally maintaining the spool in operating position by pressing spindle 7 forwardly toward the spool in an ordinary manner.

The tracker bar 1, at points adjacent to the opposite edges of the music sheet 4,A is provided with abutments 19 between which sheet 4 is adapted to travel, said abutments being located close to and adapted to engage the edges of said sheet. Adjacent to the abutments 19, and at points behind the marginal portions oi sheet 4, I provide means controlled by the bending or buckling of such marginal portions of the sheet for causing operation of the pneumatics 16, 17 re spectively. In Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive I have illustrated opening or orifice 2O near each end of the tracker bar, over which openings the adjacent marginal portions of the sheet 4 pass, such openings being each disposed at a short distance from the adjacent or corresponding abutment 19 and spaced sutliciently far from thel edge of sheet 4 to not coact with said edge. The openings or oritices 2O may be provided at the ends of tubes 21 the ends oi such tubes serving to coact directly with the music sheet 4, as in Figs. 1, 2; or the openings 20 may be iormed directly in the tracker bar, with which openings the tubes 21 communicate as in F 3 andi; or the openings 20 may be formed inv blocks 22, as in Figs. 6 to 9. The particular manner in which the openings 20 are provided is immaterial, to enable such openings to be connected by tubes or pipes, 23, 24. with the pneumatics 16, 17 respectively. In Figs. 1 and 2 the abutments 19 are shown mounted adjustably with respect to tracker bar 1, so as to be adjusted at will with respect to the varying widths of music sheets. In Figs. 1 and 2 the openings20 are so located as to be adjusted with the abutments 19, whereas in Figs. 3, 1, 11, 12 and 15 the openings 29 are stationary with respect to the tracker bar alid abutments 19 are adjustable independently ot' openings 20. In Fig. 10 the tube 21 having opening 20 is movable by reason of' the bending off the sheet .lover such opening. In Figs. 13 and 14 the abutments 19 are adjustable, and the openings 2() are also so located as to be adjustable with respect to the tracker bar. In Figs. 1 and 2 the tubes 21 are located in suitable openings in the members forming abutments 19, but said tubes may be otherwise attached to the abutments, the orifices or openings 20 of such tubes being in position to coaet with the marginal portions of the music sheet at a suitable distance from its edges. For the purpose of adjusting the abutnients 19-sepa rately, as required, along tracker bar 1, I have shown rod journaled in suitable bearings upon the tracker bar, and provided with right and left threads engaging correspondingly threaded openings inthe abutments 19, whereby, as said rod is rotated, the abut-ment 19 will be simultaneously adjusted toward and from each other and with respect to the edges of sheet L1. I have shown bearings at 27, 28 for said rod, and I have also shown said rod provided with finger piece 29, which may be in tbe form of a nut or nuts pinned or screwed firmly on said rod, whereby the latter may be rotated as desired. Such adjustment of abutments 19 provides for variations in widths of music sheets, and b v the means shown said abutments are always maintained equally distant from a center point between the extremes of the note orifices 12L of tracker bar 1.

At a point adjacent to the opening 20 the tracker bar is reduced or depressed at 1", forming spaces over which the corresponding marginal portions of the music sheet pass. and into which spaces suoli marginal portions of sheet 4 may bend or buckle. The tracker bar is also shown provided near each end with a recess 1c in which the corresponding abutment 19 is located, and whereby the saine is permitted to have adjustment with respect to the tracker bar. rllie abutments 19 extend into the tracker bar, as in the depressions 1b or spaces 1, to afford surfaces for the edges of the music sheet to engage when the edge of the sheet bends or buckles inwardly toward the tracker bar.

Where the opening or orifice 20 is provided on a block or member 22 that is separate from abutment 19, such blocks oi niembers may be provided with threaded openings to receive the threaded portion of the rod 2G, so as to be adjusted separately from the abutments 19, to provide any desired distance of such openings 2O from the adjacent abutment or marginal edge of the music sheet.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the marginal portions of music sheet 4 overlie and coact directly with the openings 20 to normally close the saine. Vlien the sheet 4 buckles or bends against an adjacent abutment 19, such buckling or bending being caused by reason ot lateral displacement of Vthe sheet toward such abutment, the adjacent opening 20 is more or less uncovered to permit the iurusli of air to control the valves of the pneumatic 16 or 17, but in Figs. 1 to 9 the openings 20 are not moved by reason of such bending or buckling of sheet 4. In Fig. 10, however, the tube 21 is shown pivotally mounted at 21a upon the tracker bar, and. normally pressed by the spring 21b against an adjustable stop or screw 21c carried by the tracker bar, whereby the opening or orifice 20 and tube 21 may be set in the desired position with respect to the surface ofthe tracker bar. In such form, when the adjacent marginal portion of sheet 4.- bends or buckles it will have a tendency to move tube21, thereby accelerating the admission ot air to opening 20, whereby a relatively slight bending or buckling of the sheet will admit air to opening 20.

In Figs. 11 to 15, the opening 20 is controlled by a valve 30 that is carried by a lever or arm 31, shown pivotally supported upon the tracker bar, the end 31a of said arm being shown located in position to engage the adjacent marginal portion of sheet 4, said portion of arm 31 being shown located within opening 1c ot the tracker bar with. its end 31a in depression 1b of said bar.

A spring 31, coat-.ting with lever 31 and the 1 tracker ybar serves to normally maintain valve 30 upon its seat at the opening 20, in Figs. 11 to 14, with the end 31a of such lever in proper position with respect to the marginal portion of sheet 4f. In Fig. 15 the lever 31 and spring 31b tend normally to keep valve 30 off of its seat at opening 20. Valve 30 may be adjustable upon arm or lever 31 by means of its threaded stem 30 meshing in a threaded opening in lever 31.

In Figs. 13 and 14 the tube 21 with the opening or orifice 20, lever 31 and valve 39 are. made adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the tracker bar, for which purpose I have shown a block 33 connected to said tube and adjustably mounted upon the tracker bar by means of Ascrews 31 in slots 31, This arrangement is shown in Fig. 1S, tubes 28, 24 thereof to be connected with the pneumatics 1G, 17, as in Fig. 1.

In all the figures of the drawings, except Figs. 15 and 16. it is assumed that the openings or orifices 2O are normally closed, either by the music sheet directly or by the valves 30 to be controlled b v the bending of such sheet, whereby, when either of such openings is uncovered, air entering said opening will control the valves of the pneumatic 16 or 17, whereas in Fig. 15 the opening 20 is normally uncovered and adapted to be closed by reason of the bending or buckling of the adjacent marginal portion of sheet 20. In such case the tube 24 will be connected with the right hand opening 20, and the tube 23 will be connected to the left hand opening 20, instead of the tube 24 being connected to the left hand opening 2() and the tube being connected to the right hand opening as in Fig. 1. The result of such arrangement is such that when valve is caused to close the opening 20 in Fig. 15, by reason of the adjacent marginal portion of sheet 4 bending or buckling, and thereby operating the adjacent lever 31, one of the normally suction-balanced pneumatics 16 or 17 will be cut od from its source of exhaust to move the spool 3 or tracker bar in an appropriate direction.

In Fig. 16, instead of operatingT the valves 16a, 17a of the pneumatics 16, 17 by reason of the opening or closing of the openings or orifices 20, I have illustrated electrical means to control said valves. In such case the primary valves 16, 17a are respectively provided with armatures 34, adapted to be attracted by corresponding magnets 36, 37. A suitable generator, such as a battery 38, is shown connected by wire 39 with one side of a magnet, the oppositeterminal of which battery is shown connected by wire 40 with a contact 41 carried by and insulated from lever 31, whose end 31 is adaptedto be operated by the bending or buckling of sheet 4 in the manner described with respect to Figs. 11 to 15. Contact 41 is adapted to engage a contact 42 shown connected by wire 43 with a terminal of magnet 37. A similar construction pertains at the opposite end of the tracker bar. Vith this arrangement, when the sheet 4 bends or buckles at its marginal edge and operates lever 31 to close contact at 41, 42, the corresponding primary valve 16 or 17a will be operated to cause operation of the corresponding pneumatic 16 or 17 to shift the spool or tracker bar. In the arrangement of the pneumatica shown at 16 and 17, when atmosj'iheric pressure enters pouch 44, through pipe 24, valve 16"L will be lifted, allowing atmosphere to pass under the valve, thence through pipe and under the pouch 46, raising valve 47, thereby opening communication between the pneumatic and suction pipe 48, and a similar action takes place with respect to the pouches, valves, etc., of pneumatic 17, when atmosphere is admitted to pipe 23, in conjunction with the corresponding parts 44, 45", 46a and 47, When a music sheet is ap plied in position the abutments 19 may be adjusted so that the music sheet will run properly and freely between such abutments, but in substantial contact therewith at opposite edges of the sheet, and so long as the music sheet properly tracks along the tracker bar the openings 20 will be retained closed by the sheet in accordance with all the figures except Figs. 15 and 16. If, however, the music sheet ceases to run true in one direction or another and bears sufficiently against one of the abutments 19, the adjacent marginal portion of such sheet will bend or buckle with respect to the corresponding opening 20, or the end 31a of lever 31, thereby causing the admission of air into the corresponding opening 20, except in accordance with Figs. 15 and 16 whereupon the corresponding valve 16a or 17n will be opened, with the consequent effect of causing the corresponding pneumatic 16 or 17 to collapse, and thereupon the music spool 3 will be moved in ay direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet has shifted toward the aforesaid abutment 19, or to cause the tracker bar to shift in the direction in which the sheet has shifted, to cause the sheet to again register or properly track with respect to the tracker orifices la.

In Fig. 17 I have illustrated my improvements in the form shown in Figs. l and 2, although the other forms' may be used in Fig. 17 if preferred.

In Fig. 11 I have shown means for assuring inward bending or buckling of the marginal portion of the music sheet adjacent to abutment 19. Such means serves as a 103 surface guide for the marginal portion of sheet 4 and is shown comprising a rod 50 having its inner end adapted to extend over the marginal portion of the music sheet, and adapted to pass through a guide hole in 105 abutment 19, the outer end of said rod being pivotally attached to the movable board 51 of pneun'iatic 52, shown secured upon frame 2. A suitable adjustable stop, such as a screw 53, limits the inward motion of 110 board 51 and rod or bar 50, according to the adjustment of said stop. A tube 54 connects pneumatic 52 with any suitable suction means, whereby during the travel of the music sheet the pneumatic 52 is collapsed to 115 cause the inner end of the surface guide 5() to be presented in front of the 'adjacent marginal portion of thefsheet to assure inward bending or buckling of the sheet. By connecting tube 54 with the note operating 120 pneumatic valve chest the penumatic will expand during re-rolling of the music sheet to withdraw the surface guide from in front of the music sheet. The same arrangement of guide 50 may be provided at op- 125 posite ends of the tracker bar. To maintain the abutments 19 parallel to the path of the music sheet guides 19a may be provided to coact with the track'er bar.

Instead of having a movable or adjustable 189 surface guide 50 to assure the inward buckling of the marginal portion of the music sheet, such surface guide may be stationary with respect to the ltraveling music sheet, as illustrated at 50 in Fig. 1f). For convenience ot manufacture, such surface guide 50 is shown applied tothe abutments 1f). lt will be understood that the abutments 1S), openings 20, levers 2:51, the surface guides, etc., will be substantially the same at opposite ends ot' the tracker bar in accordance with all of the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, for the purpose of utilizing bending or buckling of either marginal portion of the traveling music sheet as it may occur.

From the foregoing it will be understood that, since the note perforations in the traveling music sheet are provided along parallel lines` and that any deviation of the sheet from a normal traveling or tracking position would cause irregular registration of the note perforations of the sheet with the orifices of the tracker bar, with resulting musical discord, the abutments 19 may be adjusted so as to engage the edges of sheet 4, and if the sheet runs sufficiently irregularly, in an edgewise direction against an abutment, to cause a marginal portion of the sheet to bend or buckle, then such bending or buckling of the sheet will cause operation of the devices herein described that serve to maintain the proper tracking position of the music sheet with relation to the tracker bar. It will be understood that when the abutments have been adjusted to the desired width of the music sheet, the abutments may remain stationary until any other adjustment may be desired, during which stationary position of the abutments the traveling music sheet may engage the same. If it be found that a given music sheet has varying widths the abutments 19 may be adjusted to conform for the desired results.

Having now described my invention what I claim is 1. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, means to cause a marginal portion of the sheet to bend when the sheet travels to one side of a normal path with respect to the tracker bar, and means controlled by such bending of the sheet to restore the proper traveling relation between the music sheet and tracker bar.

2. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, spaced means located adjacent to the marginal portions of the sheet between which said sheet is adapted to travel to cause bending of portions of the sheet when the latter deviates from a proper traveling path, and means controlled by the bending of portions of the sheet to restore proper traveling relation of the sheet with respect to the tracker bar.

3. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges ot' the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bai-'with relation one to another, and means eoaetive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation ot' said mechanism when a marginal portion ot the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutment.

4. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments 'adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the trackerV and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, and means spaced inwardly from such abutments behind marginal portions of the sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with an abutment.

5. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges ot the music sheet, means to support the nmsie sheet to travel over the tracker and between said abutments, mechanism. to adjust the music sheet and tracker har with relation one to another, and means spaced inwardly from such abutments behind marginal portions of the sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with an abutment.

6. A player' mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar` abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, passages having openings provided behind marginal portions of the sheet normally closed thereby and spaced from an adjacent abutment in position to be opened when a marginal portion ol the sheet is bent by engagement with an adjacent abutment.

7. A player mechanism tor musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges ot the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker bar between said abutments, mechanism to adjacent the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, means coactive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when such marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutments, and pipes connected with said mechanism and communicating with openings located adjacent to said abutments adapted to be covered by marginal portions ot the sheet and to be uncovered when a marginal portion of.

the sheet is bent by engagement with an adjacent abutment.

8. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker bar between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, means coactive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutment, said abutments being adjustable along the tracker bar, and means to retain said abutments in positions of adjustment.

9. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, means coactive with marginal portions ot' said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion ot' the sheet is bent by engagement with an abutment, said abutments being adjustable toward and from each other, and means connecting said abutments for simultaneously adjusting them toward and from each other.

l0. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges oi the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker bar between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, and means coactive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with an abutment, said abutments being adjustable with respect to' the tracker bar, and threaded rods meshing with threaded openings in said abutments for simultaneously adjusting said abutments.

11. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker bar between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, passages having openings coactive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutments, said openings being provided in adjustable members, and means to adjust said members and retain them in set positions.

12. A player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a travelin music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, passages having openings coactive with marginal portions of said sheet to cause operation of said mechanism'when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutment, said abutments and passages beling adjustable together along the tracker bar.

13. A player mechanism for musica-l instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, said tracker bar having depressions adjacent to said abutments over which marginal portions of the music sheet travel, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and depressions and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, and means coactive with the marginal portions oi the sheet and located in the corresponding depression to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutment.

14. A player mechanism for musical instrumcnts comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent t0 the edges of the music sheet, said tracker bar having depressions adjacent to said abutments over which marginal portions 0f the music sheet travel, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and depressions and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, tubes extending from said mechanism and provided with openings located at said (le-- pressions adjacent to the abutments to be covered by marginal portions of the sheet and adapted to be opened when a marginal portion oi the sheet is bent by engagement with the corresponding abutment.

15. A. player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a traveling music sheet, a tracker bar, abutments adjacent to the edges of the music sheet, said tracker bar having depressions adjacent to said abutments over which marginal portions of the music sheet travel, means to support the music sheet to travel over the tracker and depressions and between said abutments, mechanism to adjust the music sheet and tracker bar with relation one to another, and means coactive with the marginal portions of the sheet and located in the corresponding depressions to cause operation of said mechanism when a marginal portion of the sheet is bent by engagement with such abutment, said tracker bar having openings com` municating with the corresponding depressions, said abutments being located in said openings.

1(3.VA player mechanism for musical instruments comprising a tracker bar, means to support a music sheet to travel over the tracker bar, passages having openings behind marginal portions of the sheet, means to adjustably support said openings with relation to the tracker bar, abutments at opposite sides of the music sheet, means to adjustably support said abutlnents with relation to the tracker bar, and means controlled by the passage of air through said openings to restore the normal relation of the music sheet and tracker bar with respect one to another when the music sheet bends by engagement with such abutment.

17. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, means to cause a marginal portion of the sheet to bend when the sheet travels to one side of a normal path with respect to the tracker bar, means controlled by such bending of the sheet to restore the proper traveling relation between the music sheet and tracker bar, and a surface-guide adjacent to a marginal portion of the sheet to assure bending of the sheet toward the tracker bar.

18. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, means to cause a marginal portion of the sheet to bend when the sheet travels to one side of a normal path with respect to the tracker bar, means controlled by such bending of the sheet to restore the proper traveling relation between the music sheet and tracker bar, a surface-guide adjacent to a marginal portion of the sheet to assure bending of the sheet toward the tracker bar, and means to move said surfaceguide in front of and away from a marginal portion of the sheet.

19. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, means to cause a marginal por tion of the sheet to bend when the sheet travels to one side of a normal path with respect to the tracker bar, means controlled by such bending of the sheet to restore the proper traveling relation between the music sheet and tracker bar, a surface-guide adjacent to a marginal portion of the sheet to assure bending of the sheet toward the tracker bar, means to movably support said surfaceguide, and means to automatically project said surface guide in front of a marginal portion of said sheet when the latter travels.

20. The combination of a tracker bar, a music sheet, means to cause a marginal portion of the sheet to bend when the sheet travels to one side of a normal path with respect to the tracker bar, means controlled by such bending of the sheet to restore the proper traveling relation between the music sheet and tracker bar, a surface-guide adjacent to a marginal portion of the sheet to assure bending of the sheet toward the tracker, means to movably support said surface-guide, and a pneumatic operatively connected with said surface-guide whereby said pneumatic may be operated to project the latter in front of a marginal portion of the sheet when the latter travels in a music producing direction and adapted to withdraw said surface guide from said sheet when the latter is re-rolled.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 29th day of March, A. D. 1915.

LOUIS H. MAER.

Vitness:

T. F. Bomann. 

